Post by Larry N. Bolch on Aug 28, 2006 17:27:01 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]Click on image for larger version.[/glow]A while back, I discovered that it is easy to transform a circular fisheye shot into an impressive panorama. The first attempts can be seen at -
www.larry-bolch.com/ephemeral/panoramas/
The method is quite simple. The exposure is done with the camera pointing straight up. In either Photoshop, Elements or Paint Shop Pro, crop tightly to the edge of the circle. Using Guides makes this easier.
Go to the Filter or Effects menu and under Distortion choose Polar Coordinates. Select Polar to Rectangular, and click OK.
Now, resize the picture by 314% on the horizontal axis ONLY. Done. Amazingly simple.
This panorama is unique compared to those shot with actual panoramic cameras like my swing-lens WideLuxe, since it takes in the whole hemisphere. Everything above the horizon is in the picture. Unless one uses the self-timer, self-portraits are unavoidable. Overhead wires become arch-ways.
Exposure may require a bit of trial and error, using exposure compensation, since it is pretty much impossible to avoid light sources - whether indoors or out. Shooting RAW does make it easier if you have the current version of Photoshop, and understand using layers and layer masks to preserve highlights, while digging out detail from shadows.
Nikon FC-E9 lens component on a Coolpix 8400.